On December 3, Beijing time, the well-known American media HoopsHype announced a list of 30 potential trade candidates, listing the most likely targets for each team to be traded, with a total of 67 people listed. The Lakers are Russell, Hachimura and Vincent; The Warriors are Kuminga, Moody, Melton and Payton Jr.; The Rockets are Adams, Jeff Green, Landale and Tate. A brief analysis of the Lakers, Warriors, and Rockets trade is as follows -
Lakers:Executives generally agree that the Lakers' 2029 and 2031 first-round picks are the team's most coveted trade assets. The Lakers can now trade up to two unprotected first-round picks and three first-round picks. In addition to those draft picks, the Lakers could also discuss a trade for Russell, Hachimura and Vincent. The Lakers could try to trade Vincent + a second-round pick for the Wizards' Wallan. He's a dream target for the Lakers.
Warriors:Kuminga is the young player who has attracted the most trade interest and is expected to be a trade target again. He and the Warriors are very different in contract extension negotiations, Kuminga wants to be close to the maximum salary amount, while the Warriors want to pay around 30 million a year. In addition, Moody, Melton and Payton Jr. could also be traded.
Rockets:They are considered one of the most likely teams to make a blockbuster trade, but the Rockets have made it clear that they don't have that much interest in Durant and Antetokounmpo. Shin Kyung is unlikely to be traded, Jalen Green is not for sale, the Rockets are more realistic to trade some role players, such as Adams, Jeff Green and Tate are all expiring contracts, Landale's salary next season is not guaranteed, and they can all be added to the trade. Considering the Rockets' hot start, they have more flexibility when deciding on trades.
The list of 30 potential trade teams is as follows โ
East (33)
Hawks (Capela, Nance Jr.), Celtics (Springer), Nets (Schroder, Finney-Smith, Cameron Johnson, Bojan, Sharpe), Hornets (Richards, Cody Martin, Micic), Bulls (LaVine, Vucevic, Ball), Cavaliers (mini-contracts that can avoid luxury tax), Pistons (Stewart, Hardaway Jr., Beasley, Paul Reed)
Pacers (Topin, Jaras Walker), Heat (Butler, Rozier), Bucks (Portis, Connaughton, Beauchamp), Knicks (Mitchell Robinson, Achiuwa), Magic (Cole Anthony), 76ers (KJ Martin), Raptors (Bruce Brown), Wizards (Kuzma, Valanciunas, Brogdon)
West (34)
Mavericks (Kleber), Nuggets (Naji), Warriors (Kuminga, Moody, Melton, Payton Jr.), Rockets (Adams, Jeff Green, Landale, Tate), Clippers (Tucker, Hyland), Lakers (Russell, Hachimura, Vincent), Grizzlies (Smart, Kennard), Timberwolves (Randle, DiVincenzo)
Pelicans (Ingram, McCollum), Thunder (Kenrich Williams), Suns (Okogie), Trail Blazers (Lowe, Ayton, Grant, Anfernee Simmons), Kings (Huerter, Lyles), Spurs (Paul), Jazz (Kessler, Clarkson, Collins, Sexton)